The Faithful God – Hebrew Names For God and What They Mean for Us Now (a series pt. 1)
(Ha’El hanne’eman)
Are you interested in delving into the lesser-known Hebrew names for God? In this series, I’ll be sharing some of my favorite Hebrew names for God, starting with one that holds a special place in my heart. As I contemplated my first micro-tattoo, I knew it had to carry deep meaning, and this unique name for God fit the bill perfectly. I wanted the Hebrew word to spark conversations and provide an opportunity to share the message of Jesus with others.
Who holds my deepest affection, and what is the recurring theme I have seen Him with great clarity threading throughout my life so far?
Introducing Ha’El hanne’eman: The Faithful God (El ha-NAY aw-MAN)
Let’s explore the significance of this divine name in Deuteronomy 7: 6-9 (NIV):
“For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.”
This profound passage highlights the unwavering faithfulness of God. He chose His people not based on their numbers but out of love, and He has faithfully kept His promises throughout generations.
God’s Timeless Nature: Beyond Past, Present, and Future
Southeast Worship of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY has a song that I love to sing called “Wake of the Cross”. My favorite lines say, “You see past and present, future…To The Maker, what is time? You foresaw my sinful nature, still you loved me through it all. Took on flesh to pay my ransom, of your mercy I’m in awe.”
One of my favorite theological discussions to have with friends is regarding God’s being above time. It’s not just that He’s omnipresent in the sense that He’s everywhere all at once. He’s not limited to the past, present, or future. He sits above it all. They all exist for Him simultaneously.
The Gospel message reflects the uniqueness of a God who set His focus on us, knowing that not everyone would choose Him. Nevertheless, He deemed every one of us worthy of the extraordinary measures He took to reconcile us after our sins. Deuteronomy 7:8–9 reinforces that God’s love and promise endure for a thousand generations, emphasizing His faithfulness as Ha’El hanne’eman.
The Covenant of Abrahamic Promise
In Genesis 15, we see the Abrahamic Covenant,a covenant initiated by God Himself. First, though, He had Abram do the work of preparing for the traditional blood covenant, where animals were slaughtered, divided in half, and then walked down between as the two men in covenant walked shoulder to shoulder through the path. The idea was that if one of them didn’t keep their end of the bargain, they were saying, “May this terrible thing happen to me.”
Right before the walking started, though, God caused Abram to fall into a deep sleep, and He alone walked through that path.
God’s promise to Abram wasn’t dependent on anything action or merit from Abram. (This was the time when God promised he’d be the father of nations and blessed him.) And… fast forward to the New Testament, and the Lamb of God, Jesus, would take that path alone to reconcile His people to Himself.
Amen: The Faithful and True
Into your hands I entrust my spirit.
You have rescued me, O LORD, my Ha’El hanne’eman. (Psalm 31:5)
Interestingly, the end of Ha’El hanne’eman sounds like “amen.” In Greek, “amen” is derived from ‘aman. In Revelation 3:14, Jesus is referred to as the Amen – faithful and true.
Gratitude for The Faithful God
As you reflect on God’s faithfulness in your life, think of the times He carried you through challenges, brought you joy, comforted you in grief, and lovingly corrected you. Even when we put Him on the backburner, He waits for our return. Call on Ha’El hanne’eman and offer praise to The Faithful God, whose promises endure for a thousand generations.generations.
We serve a Faithful God.